Bhagavad Gita 11.33 — Arise and Be Merely an Instrument
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून्भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम् ।
मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ॥ ११.३३ ॥
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Therefore arise and attain glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. By Me alone they have already been slain; be merely an instrument, O Savyasachi.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tasmāt | therefore |
| tvam | you |
| uttiṣhṭha | arise |
| yaśhaḥ | glory; fame |
| labhasva | attain |
| jitvā | having conquered |
| śhatrūn | enemies |
| bhuṅkṣhva | enjoy |
| rājyam | kingdom |
| samṛiddham | prosperous; flourishing |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mayā | by Me |
| eva | alone |
| ete | these |
| nihatāḥ | have been slain |
| pūrvam | beforehand |
| eva | already |
| nimitta-mātram | merely an instrument |
| bhava | be |
| savyasāchin | O Savyasachi (Arjuna, ambidextrous archer) |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tasmāt | therefore | mayā | by Me |
| tvam | you | eva | alone |
| uttiṣhṭha | arise | ete | these |
| yaśhaḥ | glory; fame | nihatāḥ | have been slain |
| labhasva | attain | pūrvam | beforehand |
| jitvā | having conquered | eva | already |
| śhatrūn | enemies | nimitta-mātram | merely an instrument |
| bhuṅkṣhva | enjoy | bhava | be |
| rājyam | kingdom | savyasāchin | O Savyasachi (Arjuna, ambidextrous archer) |
| samṛiddham | prosperous; flourishing | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Having revealed that the outcome is already settled, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to rise, fight, win glory, and become merely an instrument in the Lord's hands, since the enemies have already been slain by him.
Essence
Become an Instrument
The cosmic vision is not meant to leave Arjuna paralysed. Lord Krishna immediately turns it into a call to action. Knowing that Time is the real doer is meant to free him from the burden of ego, not from the duty to act.
Tasmāt tvam uttiṣṭha (therefore, arise): The word uttiṣṭha echoes the call earlier in the Gita. Arjuna is told to stand up from his despair. Understanding the truth should energise action.
Yaśo labhasva (win glory): Glory here is the natural result of fulfilling one's dharma well, not a selfish goal. A warrior who does his duty with courage deserves respect.
Mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva (by me alone they have already been slain): The Lord reminds Arjuna that the real cause lies beyond him. This removes the false belief that he is the sole author of these outcomes.
Nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savyasācin (be merely an instrument, O Savyasācin): Nimitta means an instrumental cause. Savyasācin means one who can use the bow with either hand, a reminder of Arjuna's skill. He is asked to lend his skill to a larger purpose, acting without ego.
Message for Everyday Life (Working as an Instrument, Not an Owner)
Release the pressure of ownership: Much stress comes from believing that everything depends on us alone. Doing our part sincerely, and trusting the rest, brings both effort and peace.
Practical approach: Treat your work as an offering. Give your best skills and attention, and leave the final results to something larger than yourself.
Become an Instrument
The cosmic vision is not meant to leave Arjuna paralysed. Lord Krishna immediately turns it into a call to action. Knowing that Time is the real doer is meant to free him from the burden of ego, not from the duty to act.
Tasmāt tvam uttiṣṭha (therefore, arise): The word uttiṣṭha echoes the call earlier in the Gita. Arjuna is told to stand up from his despair. Understanding the truth should energise action.
Yaśo labhasva (win glory): Glory here is the natural result of fulfilling one's dharma well, not a selfish goal. A warrior who does his duty with courage deserves respect.
Mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva (by me alone they have already been slain): The Lord reminds Arjuna that the real cause lies beyond him. This removes the false belief that he is the sole author of these outcomes.
Nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savyasācin (be merely an instrument, O Savyasācin): Nimitta means an instrumental cause. Savyasācin means one who can use the bow with either hand, a reminder of Arjuna's skill. He is asked to lend his skill to a larger purpose, acting without ego.
Message for Everyday Life (Working as an Instrument, Not an Owner)
Release the pressure of ownership: Much stress comes from believing that everything depends on us alone. Doing our part sincerely, and trusting the rest, brings both effort and peace.
Practical approach: Treat your work as an offering. Give your best skills and attention, and leave the final results to something larger than yourself.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has told Arjuna to become an instrument. In the next verse, he names some of the greatest warriors, Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Jayadratha and Karṇa, as already slain by him, and urges Arjuna to fight without fear.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Get up; the work is waiting.
Be the pen, not the author.
Pride weighs more than the task.
Do your part and release the rest.
Let the act be big, not the actor.
Doubt shrinks when action begins.
Responsibility without ownership is lightness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'uttiṣhṭha' (arise) call Arjuna to do?
What does 'nimitta-mātram' (merely an instrument) mean?
What is meant by 'mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva' (by Me alone they have already been slain)?
Why is Arjuna called 'savyasāchin' (the ambidextrous archer)?
What is the teaching about 'yaśhaḥ' (glory) and 'rājyam' (kingdom)?
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